🔔 ⚔️
2025-26 regular season

Flyers at Sabres

🗓 📍 KeyBank Center, Buffalo 🔁 Season series tied 1–1

Sabres beat Flyers 5–3 at KeyBank Center on December 18, 2025.

PHI – BUF
27–28
Shots on goal
0/3–1/5
Power play
29–24
Hits
10–15
Blocked shots
⚔️ Head-to-head

The game

The stars, every goal, the box score and the recap
Head-to-head →

Three stars

Best games by the box score
1st star ⚔️ BUF
Zach Benson
2 A
4 shots · 17:11 TOI
2nd star ⚔️ BUF
Mattias Samuelsson
2 A
1 shots · 19:43 TOI
3rd star 🔔 PHI
Bobby Brink
2 A
1 shots · 14:38 TOI

Scoring

8 goals · in order
1st period
⚔️ Jack Quinn Go-ahead 1st · 07:40
0–1
🔔 Noah Cates Tying 1st · 08:38
Assists: Bobby Brink · beat Alex Lyon
1–1
2nd period
🔔 Cam York Go-ahead 2nd · 11:01
Assists: Trevor Zegras, Bobby Brink · beat Alex Lyon
2–1
⚔️ Tage Thompson Tying 2nd · 16:54
Assists: Rasmus Dahlin · beat Samuel Ersson
2–2
⚔️ Noah Ostlund Go-ahead 2nd · 19:30
Assists: Owen Power, Alex Tuch · beat Samuel Ersson
2–3
3rd period
⚔️ Josh Norris PP 3rd · 10:20
Assists: Zach Benson · beat Samuel Ersson
2–4
🔔 Travis Konecny 3rd · 14:28
3–4
⚔️ Ryan McLeod Empty net 3rd · 19:52
3–5

Game recap

AI

Sabres Clinch Win Against Flyers with 5-3 Victory

The Buffalo Sabres secured a 5-3 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on December 18, 2025. The home team built momentum throughout the game, responding well to challenges and ultimately sealing the win with a strong finish.

Big Picture

The game was a tight contest, particularly in the early stages as both teams exchanged goals. However, the Sabres displayed resilience and strategic execution that allowed them to take control as the game progressed. Key plays and contributions from multiple players helped the Sabres stay ahead and withstand a late push from the Flyers.

Turning Point

The momentum shifted in the second period, specifically during the closing minutes. After trailing 2-1, the Sabres managed to tie the game with a goal from Tage Thompson at 16:54, rejuvenating their energy. Just as the period was about to wrap up, Noah Ostlund brought the Sabres ahead 3-2 with a goal at 19:30. This late surge put them in a favorable position heading into the third period, creating a crucial edge that the Flyers could not overcome.

Standout Performances

Jack Quinn was an early highlight for the Sabres, netting the first goal of the game, while Mattias Samuelsson contributed significantly with two assists. Tage Thompson's goal was pivotal in leveling the game, showcasing his ability to deliver when it counts. Noah Ostlund, with a timely goal right before the intermission, established himself as a crucial player for the Sabres.

On the Flyers' side, Noah Cates and Cam York struck crucial goals, bringing energy to the team. However, despite Travis Konecny's late goal that narrowed the score to 4-3, it wasn’t enough to shift the momentum back in their favor.

What It Means

This win is a vital boost for the Sabres as they continue to build toward a competitive standing in the season. The ability to respond after going down is a testament to their resilience and depth. For the Flyers, while they showed flashes of potential with their scoring, the inability to hold leads ultimately proved detrimental. They will need to reevaluate their defensive strategies to turn close contests into victories moving forward.

Overall, the Sabres showcased a blend of skill and strategy that will serve them well as they aim for further success in the current NHL season.

Lines & pairings

Estimated from ice time
🔔Flyers
L1 Zegras · Dvorak · Konecny 19:06
L2 Cates · Couturier · Tippett 16:07
L3 Grundstrom · Michkov · Brink 15:27
L4 Deslauriers · Abols · Hathaway 8:20
D1 Sanheim · York 21:52
D2 Drysdale · Seeler 19:26
D3 Andrae · Ristolainen 17:07
⚔️Sabres
L1 Thompson · Norris · Tuch 20:19
L2 Benson · McLeod · Doan 18:35
L3 Ostlund · Krebs · Quinn 13:35
L4 Greenway · Malenstyn · Kozak 8:56
D1 Dahlin · Byram 22:00
D2 Power · Samuelsson 19:58
D3 Timmins · Kesselring 15:04

Team stats

Away left · home right
🔔PHI BUF⚔️
27 Shots on goal 28
0/3 Power play (goals / chances) 1/5
29 Hits 24
10 Blocked shots 15
1 Takeaways 6
9 Giveaways 25
10 Penalty minutes 6
PHI shooting 11.1% (3/27) BUF shooting 17.9% (5/28)

Goaltending

Saves, shots faced and save percentage
🔔Flyers
23/27
.852 SV% · 4 GA · 58:17 TOI
⚔️Sabres
24/27
.889 SV% · 3 GA · 59:52 TOI

Where the goals came from

8 of 8 goals located
Jack Quinn · 1st 07:40 · 0–1 Noah Cates · 1st 08:38 · 1–1 Cam York · 2nd 11:01 · 2–1 Tage Thompson · 2nd 16:54 · 2–2 Noah Ostlund · 2nd 19:30 · 2–3 Josh Norris · 3rd 10:20 · 2–4 Travis Konecny · 3rd 14:28 · 3–4 Ryan McLeod · 3rd 19:52 · 3–5
PHI BUF
The net is on the right for both teams. Hover a dot for the goal.

Period by period

AI
After 1st — 1–1
Flyers
Flyers — tied after 1st: 6-4-1 (55% win rate, 11 games)
Sabres
Sabres — tied after 1st: 6-3-2 (55% win rate, 11 games)
After 2nd — 2–3
Flyers
Flyers — trailing by 1 goal after 2nd: 4-3-3 (40% win rate, 10 games)
Sabres
Sabres — leading by 1 goal after 2nd: 2-1 (67% win rate, 3 games)
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PHI vs BUF, answered

Who won Flyers vs Sabres on December 18, 2025?

Sabres won 5–3. The final score was Flyers 3, Sabres 5.

Who scored for Flyers?

Cam York, Noah Cates, Travis Konecny.

Who scored for Sabres?

Jack Quinn, Josh Norris, Noah Ostlund, Ryan McLeod, Tage Thompson.

How did the Flyers goalie play?

Samuel Ersson made 23 saves on 27 shots (.852 save percentage).

How did the Sabres goalie play?

Alex Lyon made 24 saves on 27 shots (.889 save percentage).

Where is Flyers vs Sabres played?

At KeyBank Center in Buffalo, the Sabres home rink.

What is the Flyers vs Sabres season series?

Season series tied 1–1 after 2 games.

Have a different question? Ask the Oracle — it answers from real box scores.